The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center projects cooler than normal conditions will persist over the Midwest and Great Lakes through August. However, indications are a strengthening El Nino may point to a reversal of this cool pattern this fall, possibly leading to a milder winter in Chicago. SOURCES: Frank Wachowski, National Weather Service archives, Climate Prediction Center PAUL DAILEY / WGN-TV ---------- Weather Report is...

(Reuters) - The U.S. weather forecaster maintained its outlook for the El Nino weather phenomenon in its monthly update on Thursday, pegging the chances of the weather pattern striking during the Northern Hemisphere summer at 70 percent. The Climate Prediction Center, an agency of the National Weather Service, said there was close to an 80 percent chance of El Nino, that can wreak havoc on crops, during the fall and early winter. The agency downplayed...

NEW YORK, March 6 (Reuters) - The Climate Prediction Center (CPC), the U.S. weather forecaster, said on Thursday it was on watch for El Nino conditions developing in the summer or fall. In its monthly report, the CPC said it saw neutral El Nino conditions continuing through the Northern Hemisphere in the spring 2014, but a 50 percent chance of the weather pattern developing during the summer or fall. (Reporting by Chris Prentice; Editing by Jeffrey...

By Terry Wade HOUSTON (Reuters) - Computer scientists are picking a new fight with old school meteorologists, claiming finally to have cracked the code on weather forecasting at a pivotal, profitable moment for the field, as climate change roils commodities markets and industries. Banks and traders are reporting outsized profits, and losses, on everything from natural gas to grains as severe weather causes extra price volatility; power grid operators are...

The Climate Prediction Center is projecting near-average precipitation for Chicago this winter (the period from December through February) and considerably above-average temperatures. This continues the trend of recent winters in Chicago. DURING CHICAGO'S WINTERS SINCE 2000 Temperatures: 5 were warmer than average, 3 colder Precipitation: 5 were wetter than average, 3 drier Snowfall: 3 were snowier than average, 5 less snowy SOURCES:...

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The chances have increased over the past month that the much-feared El Nino weather phenomenon, which can wreak havoc on global crops, will strike this year, the federal U.S. forecaster said Thursday. In its monthly report, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), an agency of the National Weather Service, said neutral conditions will prevail through the spring. But the forecaster raised the likelihood of the weather pattern developing over the...

As the lowering of the peak angle of the sun's beam over Chicago accelerates in September (71.6(degrees) June 21, 56.1(degrees) Sept 1, and 44.6(degrees) October 1), so does the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Still the threat of sunburn persists well into October, and skin damage may occur at intensities below those causing sunburn. Sources: Dermatologist Dr. Bryan Schultz, NOAA, NWS, Climate Prediction Center WGN-TV/Thomas Valle, Paul Dailey ----------...

NEW YORK, March 6 (Reuters) - The Climate Prediction Center (CPC), the U.S. weather forecaster, said on Thursday it was on watch for El Nino conditions developing in the summer or fall. In its monthly report, the CPC said it saw neutral El Nino conditions continuing through the Northern Hemisphere in the spring 2014, but a 50 percent chance of the weather pattern developing during the summer or fall. (Reporting by Chris Prentice; Editing by Jeffrey...

The Great Lakes region makes the transition from autumn to early winter during November, the month with Chicago's greatest average temperature drop. The average date of the first measurable snow (0.01") occurs Nov. 16, and every November in the past 120 years of snow records has seen at least a trace, except for 1999 and 2001. As Chicago's second cloudiest month, early sunsets add to the gloom with only 44% of possible sunshine the norm. National Weather Service archives, Climate...

March 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. weather forecaster issued its first El Nino watch in almost 18 months on Thursday, warning the phenomenon that can wreak havoc on weather and roil global crops could strike as early as the Northern Hemisphere summer. The latest outlook brings the forecaster in line with other global meteorologists that have raised their outlook for El Nino's potential return. Here are some details about the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC)...

The current atmospheric blocking pattern, which has revolved around a dome of warm air over the nation's midsection, strengthens through the weekend. It's a process aided by the development of a huge U-buckle in the western jet stream and resultant strengthened southerly flow here. Higher humidity, as indicated by the northward advance of the 65 (degrees) dew point temperature (the value at which air feels uncomfortably humid), accompanies the warmth. Sources: Climate Prediction...

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The much-feared El Nino phenomenon, the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific which can trigger drought in Southeast Asia and Australia and floods in South America, could strike as early as the Northern Hemisphere summer, the U.S. weather forecaster warned on Thursday. In its strongest prediction in almost 18 months that El Nino could return, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said in its monthly report that neutral El Nino conditions...

The proliferation of computer forecasting models--now more than a dozen--and increased radar, satellite and automated weather station coverage over the past 10 years have improved the accuracy of all forecast periods. Near-term forecasts, out to 48 hours, remain the bread and butter of the weather forecasting community. Temperature and precipitation forecasts are more precise than ever, while wind and especially cloud forecasts still show room for...

* Little chance of weather problems from El Nino seen into winter * Weather forecaster says ocean temperatures near average in April * Confidence in extended forecasts increases after May NEW YORK, May 9 (Reuters) - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on Thursday the latest data confirmed its forecast that El Nino was unlikely to cause extreme weather in the Northern Hemisphere throughout the summer and into winter. The key...

The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center has issued its winter weather outlook for the three-month period, Dec.-Jan.-Feb., and it calls for above-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation across most of the nation. At Chicago, the anticipation is near or slightly above-normal winter temperatures and near-normal precipitation. Note: These projections refer to temperatures and precipitation averaged across the entire winter, and do not address the issue of individual extreme...

NEW YORK, April 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. national weather forecaster reiterated on Thursday its forecast that the much-feared El Niño phenomenon is unlikely to affect the Northern Hemisphere weather into the summer months. In its monthly report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said its models for the El Niño remain neutral into the summer, citing oceanic heat content and wind levels during March. ...

So far summer 2008 has been a bust in terms of heat with only one 90-degree day on the books. Even though July is prime-time for heat and humidity in Chicago, long-range forecasts indicate only brief flirtations with hot weather and an overall below-normal temperature trend for the start of the month. SOURCES: Frank Wachowski, National Weather Service archives, Climate Prediction Center WGN-TV/Steve Kahn ---------- Weather Report is prepared by the...

Fall arrived wet and cold Friday morning, but Chicagoans can take solace in the National Weather Service's forecast for the next three months: a better than average chance that it will be warm and dry. The weather service's Climate Prediction Center in Maryland says the area surrounding Lake Michigan, including parts of the Chicago region, should see higher than normal temperatures from October through December. There should also be less rain or snow. Local...

Dear Tom, What kind of hurricane season is expected? Roger Smolich Dear Roger, The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center released its updated outlook on Aug. 7, and that outlook anticipates a very active season in the Atlantic basin. It calls for 14-18 named hurricanes, versus a long-term average of eight. In addition, it projects three to six of them will be major hurricanes (sustained winds of 111 m.p.h. or higher), versus a long-term average of two. The center's lead...